A worldwide hunt intensifies for a 49-year-old Malaysian who is a central figure in an international syndicate stealing thousands of vehicles in the country for sale overseas.

KUALA LUMPUR - The hunt is on for the man behind 80 per cent of pick-up truck and MPV thefts in the country.

He is 49-year-old Nyo Ah Hai @ Robin Hai, a central figure in an international syndicate that has been stealing thousands of the vehicles and selling them in Africa, South-East Asia and the Middle East.

Nyo, high on Interpol's wanted list, is believed to be coordinating the syndicate while based overseas, flitting from country to country to avoid detection.